Wednesday, 18 May 2016

Like Parent, Like Child: Good Oral Health Starts at Home

Parents are a child's first teacher in life and play a significant role in maintaining his or her overall health. Providing oral health education to mothers and families is essential to teaching children healthy habits and preventing early childhood tooth decay, according to an article published in the May/June 2010 issue of General Dentistry, the peer-reviewed clinical journal of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD).With all of the challenges that new parents face, they may not think much about the link between their child's oral health and overall health. In fact, an understanding of oral hygiene can help parents to prevent tooth decayóthe single most common chronic childhood disease in Americaóand to create a lifetime of healthy habits for their child."Ideally, the oral health education for any family will begin with prenatal education and the establishment of a dental home by the time the child is 12 to 18 months of age," says Tegwyn Brickhouse, DDS, author of the study. "Many people don't realize that the oral health of the mother affects both the infant's future oral health and the child's overall health. In fact, some studies show that periodontal disease has been linked to preterm labor. That's why pregnant women should be evaluated for cavities, poor oral hygiene, gingivitis, loose teeth and diet."After the child is born, families should become familiar with their child's dental and oral health milestones, which will be determined by discussion with the family dentist or a pediatric dentist. Children should have their first dental visit at age 1 or within six months of the eruption of their first tooth. A dentist will be able to discuss when parents can expect to see a child's first tooth and the best technique for brushing his or her new teeth.Diet is another factor that affects a child's oral health. Frequent and long-term exposure to liquids that contain sugars commonly results in tooth decay. In addition to eliminating sugary drinks altogether from a child's diet, parents can adopt other habits to prevent tooth decay due to beverage consumption."Parents should avoid giving their children milk, formula, juice or soda at naptime or nighttime," says Bruce DeGinder, DDS, MAGD, spokesperson for the AGD. "The sugars will linger on their teeth and gums for a prolonged period of time, promoting decay."Parents are responsible for their child's oral hygiene practices and are advised to meet with a general dentist to determine the best way to establish and maintain their child's oral health. A general dentist also can provide families with oral health literature that is designed to educate both the parent and child. This education has multiple benefits; as Dr. Brickhouse notes, "Healthy teeth in early childhood can provide a positive self-image and improve the child's quality of life."To read the entire article please visit KnowYourTeeth.com

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About Me

Dr. Rick Kava is pleased to be able to offer
beautiful smiles to his neighbors in Sioux City and the surrounding
communities.

Dr. Kava earned his dental degree from the University of Nebraska
Medical Center College of Dentistry, after earning his bachelor’s
degree from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Prior to entering
private practice, he completed a general practice residency at the
Veterans Administration Hospital in Omaha.

Dr. Kava has taken numerous postgraduate education courses,
selecting courses on a wide range of topics to maintain his
comprehensive knowledge and skill level. He has completed the
coursework at the Peter Dawson Academy for Advanced Dental Study,
which emphasized occlusion (your bite), TMJ disorders, and esthetic
restorative dentistry. Additionally, he has completed training in
sleep apnea treatment, orthodontics, CERECTM restorations, and soft
tissue laser treatments. His most recent course in conscious
sedation at the Albert Einstein Institute Monte Fiore Hospital in
Bronx, NY, allows him to offer a full range of sedation options so
his patients can achieve healthy, beautiful smiles in complete
comfort.

A teacher as well as a student, Dr. Kava has lectured at the Western
District of Nebraska State Dental Association and trained other
dentists in soft tissue laser treatment in several venues, including
the American Dental Association annual meeting. He is a contributing
author to the Principles and Practice of Laser Dentistry by Robert
Convissar and was featured as the cosmetic dentist for Extreme
Makeover, Siouxland Edition.

Dr. Kava is an active participant in the community, providing
extensive assistance in the area of animal welfare and serving on
the board of directors of the Siouxland Humane Society. He and Kris,
his wife of 25 years, have three daughters, and in his spare time,
he enjoys working outside, reading, golfing, and spending time with
his family.